Human consumption of the cacao plant and its beans dates back as long as 5,000 years ago, and the cacao tree is scientifically named Theobroma cacao, the Greek term for "food of the gods." Today, this "god-like" food is less rare than it was in the past, but even more popular, and one country in particular produces the most.

Cote d'Ivoire in Western Africa produces over two million tons of cocoa every year, making it responsible for roughly 40 percent of all the cocoa beans produced on the planet. The continent of Africa in general is responsible for 81 percent of cocoa bean production, though Europe takes the crown for processing the most beans.

Cote d'Ivoire's economy is also contingent upon cocoa exportation, and cocoa makes up around 15 percent of the gross domestic product. Switzerland also plays one of the biggest hands in the global chocolate market via consumption, and each citizen consumes 11.6 kilograms, or 25 pounds, of chocolate on an annual basis.